Sunday, February 15, 2009
Granite Bay may be changed dramatically
Please provide any insights, suggestions, etc. that you think will help motivate the community to fight the update and do so effectively. Please add your comments below. Additional information can be found at www.savegranitebay.com. To read this blog, click on "Granite Bay may be changed dramatically" below and to the right.
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February 11, 2009 marked the beginning of the end of Kirk Uhler’s political career. Over 300 Granite Bay residents painfully watched as Kirk Uhler laid a political egg the size of his single-minded determination to buck the will of the people. The very people he was elected to give voice and represent. His elitism was dramatically on display and firmly rooted in his belief of his rightful ascendance to the position endowed through potent family connections. The people merely rubber-stamped a foregone result.
ReplyDeleteThose pesky little people showed up on Wednesday night en masse revealing Kirk Uhler to be the fraud and empty shirt he really is. His true allegiance was on full display along with his arrogance that the people could be manipulated and fooled once again. Didn’t we all know it was a foregone result? One attendee said it well; “ We are here to immunize Kirk.”
Hundreds of residents made their opinions known; speaker after speaker peeled the layers of mumbo-jumbo spoken by Uhler and his lap dog Planning Director, Michael Johnson, for why we must update the Granite Bay Community Plan. If we fail to act, the Attorney General, in addition to challenging Proposition 8 and prison health care reform to the tune of $30 billion dollars in the Courts, is prepared to sue Granite Bay.
8,500 residents were invited to participate and state their opinions. The community would be directing the process. With a show of hands, Granite Bay residents voted overwhelmingly, we like the plan exactly as it is no revisions necessary. The county was given its instructions: DO NOT CHANGE THE PLAN. When you are not the people’s representative their voices are irrelevant.
Kirk Uhler addressed the group, not to validate their concerns, but to inform the audience why they were wrong. An elderly gentleman captured the mood telling Uhler, “You are a fraud.” This gentleman was not allowed to continue, his microphone was cut off and, a sheriff’s vehicle was parked within feet of the front door with the engine idling as the deputy patrolled the facility as attendees were exiting. Witnessing this, I flashed back to a recent national newscast where a college student was forcefully removed from a political event for speaking his mind shouting, “Please don’t traser me bro,” as he was being dragged away.
There was no threat of violence…there was no mob rule … there was … Kirk Uhler being directly confronted with the powerful will of his constituents.
Submitted by Marlene George
February 15, 2009
While I agree with the concerns about Supervisor Uhler, Michael Johnson has been a very helpful person to Granite Bay. He arrived when Ted Gaines was our supervisor. He visited the Granite Bay Community Association, staying late to answer public questions. He has made appearances at the MAC to educate the community regarding specific issues. He and his staff stopped illegal development along Douglas Boulevard the morning after they became aware of it. He is probably as frustrated as we are, and needs our support. Imagine having Supervisor Uhler for a boss!
ReplyDeleteI’ll repeat and elaborate on the comments I made at the infamous 2/11 meeting.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I agree wholeheartedly with Marlene George’s assessment of the meeting and of Kirk Uhler. Marlene’s comments were a great read.
I grew up in Pennsylvania in a small town very similar to Granite Bay. And I feel like I’ve been to this movie before.
The town where I grew up was a coveted distant satellite town of larger city (great school district, beautiful rolling hills, large lots, etc.). However, in the space of 10 years it went from rural to suburban, thanks to a constant parade of zoning changes pushed by developers and abetted by local politicians. 100 acres at a time, rolling cornfield after cornfield was converted into cookie-cutter housing developments. The character of the area was destroyed – forever – and I can barely recognize it anymore.
The story playing out here now seems to be much the same: Local politicians enter office with the intent of helping developers get their way. Once in office, they repeal existing zoning laws and let the builders rape the land. The builders make millions, the official moves on to his next job with powerful connections and wealthy political allies. Basically, the only winners are the builders and the politician – less than 5% of the population. Meanwhile, the remaining 95%+ of the population loses, as the local community is left to look at the eyesores left behind and to foot the bill for infrastructure improvements to handle the growing population.
In my experience, the communities that took the toughest stance against development were without doubt the ones that preserved their character and their property values most effectively.
The best recommendation at the meeting was that IF the plan is updated, the only update should be to lower the population cap. The best defense is a good offense… Lowering the population cap can be justified on grounds of the explosive growth in neighboring/nearby communities that have contributed to an increased traffic flow through our area (Folsom, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis). Traffic would worsen further from additional growth within Granite Bay.
In listening to Michael Johnson’s opening presentation, I was struck by the blatant double talk. On the one hand, he said we may or may not update the plan, based on community feedback. On the other hand, the presentation was replete with phrases like “when we update the plan”, “the plan update”, “the 2-year, 4-phase, $200,000 plan update”, etc., which seemed to betray a belief that the plan WILL be updated, regardless of community feedback.
Kirk Uhler, in an act of utter spinelessness, sat in the back of the room until the very end of the meeting. Meanwhile, the fury of the audience was directed (perhaps mistakenly) at Michael Johnson, who was sitting up front. When Mr. Uhler finally came up front he was hostile, abrasive, condescending and arrogant and did indeed lay a giant egg. When Bob Schulke got him on the ropes (and forced him to admit he actually has accepted much more than the $42,000 from builders that Mr. Schulke revealed), to the delight of the audience, Mr. Uhler had a complete meltdown. When asked the simple question of WHY we were even considering updating the plan, he said “we had to follow the process.” Because this was a lie, there was an uproar in the audience. In his presentation, Michael Johnson said the state of California “recommends” periodic updates. It is not mandatory, as Mr. Uhler tried to pretend. I would have felt bad for anyone else. But not by this guy who had just insulted the entire audience and who threatens to destroy the community I just spent a lot of money moving into.
While I cannot see inside a man’s heart, it appears that Mr. Uhler fits the mold of the politician I described above. He seems to view Granite Bay and its community plan as a candy box for his builder supporters, whom he needs to reward for campaign contributions. By contrast, the majority of the residents see it instead as a Pandora’s box. As someone else at the meeting said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Mr. Uhler, if you stumble upon this blog, know that unless you relent, the wrath of Granite Bay will be upon you. I suggest you pack your bags and go play your game somewhere else. Use another community as a stepping stone in your career.
Development is forever. When wild fields or stands of trees or green corridors are replaced by buildings, the buildings don’t go away. They stay. The change is permanent. The old memories, the old character, is gone forever. This is why I feel so passionately about this issue. I don’t want to live in another area that is destroyed forever by a corrupt alliance between developers and politicians. I’m all for making a buck, but don’t do it at my or my community’s expense. Call it selfish, but the reason we have elected officials is so that our will is represented. Kirk Uhler does not appear ready, willing or able to fulfill this most fundamental responsibility. For this reason, I support recalling him unless he changes his tune.
Paul Terpeluk
I moved to Granite Bay last May because I wanted my children to grow up where they have some space to play and loved the country-like feel of the area.
ReplyDeleteBack in October I requested a meeting with Mr. Uhler because the planning commission had told me that there was a rezone proposal at an upcoming MAC meeting.
His assistant told me he knew nothing of this. When I replied that I was sure it was so if the Placer planning commission informed me of it, I was told that regardless Mr. Uhler would not be meeting with anyone in regards to zoning at that point in time, that it was too early. Even if it was going to be discussed, I should wait until after the initial MAC meeting to set up an appointment.
It looks like somehow the whole 4 people in the community who want zoning changes were able to get a meeting since at that first MAC meeting Mr. Uhler informed the audience that he had met with them.
Granite Bay was ruined, back in 1990,
ReplyDeletewhen all the Bay Area Yuppies and Southern
Califonia people arrived, Case and Point,
Case Closed~!
Yeah, I agree, Granite L.A. aka Bay
ReplyDeletehas become a cesspool. Worthless
unemployed housewives roaming
the streets that used to be fields.
In response to the handful of angry people that continually dominate the MAC, this blog, and the meetings associated with the update of the general plan. I suggest that you are putting all your energies into fighting, when compromise is a much better goal. You are angry, are spreading angry e mails, full of fear, and untruths, your mob mentality and bullying behavior is unproductive and unappreciated by many.
ReplyDeleteChange can be good, it is necessary, and it is inevitable.
It is unreasonable to think that once you move into a community, then it will stay the same forever with no responsible change. The need to look at old assumptions are valid, we no longer farm, water is no longer free, fire danger is a real threat, the economy is in shambles. You are trying to control everything for everyone. You do not speak for all of Granite Bay as you often say, rather you dominate the meetings with your outrageous anger, and make it difficult for anyone else to speak or express a different point of view.
It seems that all your energy can be more constructively used to helping make the right changes to Granite Bay, not trying to shut down the process all together. There is enough fighting in the world already, lets work together to keep Granite Bay a great community.
Andrew & Lori Ryan
Granite Bay, CA.
Granite Bay Residents Deserve Better
ReplyDeleteThe letter above from Andrew and Lori Ryan on the Granite Bay Community Plan Update is interesting. Their reasons for change; change for the sake of change, “fire danger,” the economy being in “shambles” and having to pay for water are irrelevant. The Community Plan only guides land use. So what is their issue? Do they have property they want to re-zone to commercial? Are they not willing to admit that?
The Ryans complain about their neighbor’s behavior at Municipal Advisory Council meetings. The MAC Chairmen have always ensured that all wishing to speak can do so. Criticizing one’s neighbors for expressing their opinions in a public forum in accordance with their First Amendment rights is shameful.
Only those wishing a land zoning change from residential to commercial or wishing to develop at higher density than allowed in the plan would have a problem with the Plan. Those owning land in Granite Bay in 1987 were involved in the development of the Community Plan. Those purchasing land since then did so with full knowledge of the Community Plan and have no right to impose change for their personal financial benefit.
The assertion that “a handful” of residents is trying to “control everything for everyone,” and spreading “untruths;” belittles the February 11th Community meeting hosted by the County Planning Department. About 400 residents attended that meeting and nearly all objected to the Update. Many also attended the next MAC meeting. It’s unfortunate when a large share of the community gets involved and is then criticized for doing so by a neighbor. The Ryan's attitude is shameful.
Harrison Clark
Submitted by Steve Herrick
ReplyDeleteApril 30
"Watch their feet . . ."
Today I reviewed the seven (7)"requests" for change to the Granite Bay plan which have been submitted to Mr. Uhler. They are on the County website. It gives a very clear map of the location of each parcel requesting the zoning change.
"Requests" numbered 4,6 and 7 are on Douglas Blvd. and Auburn Folsom Rd. are for changes from residential to commercial or some combination thereof. In my opinion, all of these should be review by the County on their own merits and do not require a plan update to provide a structure for the change request.
Numbers 1,2,3 and 5, however, are exactly why we should NOT open up the plan to this kind of an "update". Each of these "requests" is for subdividing parcels, increasing the population density. Each parcel is currently consistent in size with its neighboring parcels. The owner of the parcels bought the land with full knowledge of the zoning as did the owners of the neighboring parcels. I assume that most people bought their homes because they liked the setting and not for land speculation purposes. Does the desire for financial gain give an individual owner the right to change the character of a neighborhood? This runs contrary to what we stand for.
My personal motto for public officials is, "Watch there feet not their mouths." Mr. Uhler's feet seem to take him to a places where his mouth says he is not going. I think that the voters should condsider escorting Mr. Uhler's feet out of his supervisorial office.
Steve Herrick
9760 Oak Leaf Way
Granite Bay
Resident since Feb. 1991
Steve Herrick makes some very good points. However, leaving requests 4, 6 and 7 up to the County will ensure that Douglas Blvd becomes another Greenback or Madison Avenue. Over the last year unfortunate changes have been made in spite of public opposition including a major 700 foot frontage re-zone from residential-with-300-foot-setback to commercial with no setback on Douglas, just west of Lake Center. This was done in spite of virtually unanimous community opposition at packed MAC meetings. The MAC, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors ignored the community and approved this car wash and shopping and commercial project in the midst of large residential parcels.
ReplyDeleteThese changes will continue if we don't tighten the Community Plan to prevent them.
Harrison Clark
Jan. 21st is the last day to submit a letter or email to Placer County protesting the rezoning of 119 acres on Olive Ranch Rd. It is currently zoned Agricultural Residential with 2.3 acre minimum and provision for a PUD with the same density.This property was already reduced from a 4.6 to the current zoning. 40 homes can now be built on the property. The developer, Tsakopoulos, is asking for a rezone that would permit 89 homes. The residents of Olive Ranch Rd. do not want to see 1,000's of oak trees cut down and the lose the last large piece of natural habitate in Granite Bay. Please email cdraecs@placer.ca.gov to protest the rezone and the increased traffic, pollution, and the urbanization it will to our rural street. and Granite Bay. Olive Ranch Ed. Residents
ReplyDeletePlease help to prevent further erosion of the Granite Bay Community Plan. The Placer County Planning Commission has approved a 41,000+ square foot, 412 parking space house of worship at the corner of Laird Road and Auburn Folsom Road in an area that is zoned for 4.6 acre lots. This size of a project is inconsistent with the Community Plan but despite pleas by neighbors, the project was approved by the Planning Commission late last year. That decision has now been appealed to the Board of Supervisors who will take the project up next Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 175 Fulweiler Avenue. Please come out and support those opposed to the project and help preserve the rural environment that was planned for in the Granite Bay Community Plan
ReplyDeleteThe Board of Supervisors meeting for the house of worship project at Laird Road and Auburn Folsom Road is at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 9 at 175 Fulweiler Avenue, Auburn.
ReplyDeletewhat about the St. Joseph Marello Church project on Auburn-Folsom at Cavitt-stallman roads? I am appealing this at the hearing on Tuesday 9 Feb 10AM at Fulweiler site.
ReplyDeleteHuge project right in the middle of rural residential area. Planning Commission approved it with a MUP rather than an EIR and I expect Uhler and the rest of the BOS to just acquiesce.
The BOS meeting on the St. Joseph Marello Church was continued to March 2 at 10:00 am, 175 Fulweiler Avenue - please come and support the Granite Bay Community Plan!
ReplyDeleteI want to respond to Lori and Andrew Ryan's comments. I think in the spirit of full disclosure it should be mentioned that the Ryans' submitted a land use request along with the other cluster of land use requests for lot splits in Itchy Acres. In essence the Ryans have a financial interest in the plan update being favorable for development. Sorry, Lori but the community does not support your position. As you know a group of us went to Auburn to review a sampling of the community surveys. You were to go but in the end begged out because you were too busy. Those of us who you label as "angry" are also busy but we took the time to do something constructive and traveled to Auburn to review the surveys. The results of the community surveys show the community overwhelmingly supports the goals, principles and policies of the current plan and rejects in many cases 5-6 to 1 against all land use requests for increased density or rezoning from resiential to commercial including Itchy Acres. Sorry if you feel that we are angry but we are. When we have a supervisor who does not regard the will of his constituents but only bows to his financial contributors bold action must be taken. If the Ryans and others of their ilk bother to take the time, they will learn that the mission of savegranitebay.com is not to stop development but to promote sensible growth that is consistent with maintaining the rural, residential environment of Granite Bay. After all, that is why all of us chose to live here.
ReplyDeleteStay posted, I just completed a compilation of the data from the recently submitted community surveys. The results of the surveys along with savegranitebay.com's analysis and recommendations for implementation will be posted on our website in advance of the April MAC meeting when the county will make a report of their findings and recommendations. It will be interesting if the two converge or diverge.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe Mr. Uhler has the community's best interest in mind, specifically as it relates to public safety. Since Mr. Uhler has been the Dist. 4 supervisor, the sheriff's office has stopped staffing the Granite Bay area with a designated assigned patrol unit, referred to as the "Frank Beat." I didn't believe it and recentely asked 2 deputies about it. They affirmed the rumor and said Granite Bay, or the "Frank Beat", is not considered a mandatory area to be staffed and almost never has an assigned deputy in the area. They have deputies assigned to Loomis, Lincoln, West Roseville, Newcastle and the Roseville area near K-mart and along PFE Rd, but not Granite Bay. Ironically, as one deputy recentely told me, Mr. Uhler asked the sheriff's office to keep an eye on his home and be his personal security due to his concerns about the SGB effort.
ReplyDeleteThe next above is amusing since Uhler or a minion or a misguided supporter has been harassing SGB members by submitting dozens upon dozens of magazine subscriptions and travel literature requests in their names.
ReplyDelete